This past weekend I was able to leave NYC and run in beautiful Dutchess County New York in the town of Clinton Corners. Myself and fellow DOFB member John 9, took a trip to visit some friends and while there decided to test the rolling hills with a 7 mile run. The scenery was beautiful but the weather was oppressive, it was in the high 80’s with 80% humidity, which do not make for great running conditions.
One of the highlights of the run for me was pushing my running partner on a pace that may have been a little too grueling for him and maybe myself as well. I was hurting and he may have been dead. The point here is that sometimes you need to step out of your comfort zone while running and be pushed past the point where you normally stop. I think that doing that to John 9, maybe without his consent, will help him overall and make him a better runner. By stepping out of your comfort zone, you see what you can accomplish if you push hard enough over time. It is not a strategy to employ every time out, but once in awhile it needs to be done to make you a better runner.
One note to this story is that Karma is a pain the ass. I decided to run with someone tonight that I had just met and thought it would be a nice easy run. Well she crushed me. We were running a nice warm up mile and then suddenly we were running 7:45/miles and attempting to keep up a conversation. The conversation ended up with me breathing heavy (not in a cool way) and her just shaking her head in pity. But I needed that good kick in the ass to push me out of my comfort zone and am ready for another shot at her once I can walk again.
As we near the end of the summer, and everyone is getting ready for the final party of the season, think it is time to take a quick look ahead at some future races in the NYC area for September and October.
Just throwing these dates out there, lets see what can be done
Saturday, September 8 - fitness® Mind, Body, Spirit 4-mile run: 8:30 a.m. Central Park
Sunday, September 23 - Queens Half Marathon • 13.1 miles 7:00 a.m
September 29, 2007 - Continental Airlines Fifth Avenue Mile - 9:00am
Saturday, October 6 - Norwegian Festival Grete’s Great Gallop / Norway Run / Troll Stroll - Norway Run: 1.7M • 8:15 a.m. / Grete’s Great Gallop: 13.1M • 8:45 a.m. / Troll Stroll: ages 2-10 • 10:30 a.m.
Sunday, October 14 - Staten Island Half Marathon - • 13.1 miles 9:40 a.m.
Countdown to the start, November 4, 2007:
72 Days
I am so far behind in my training it is scary, will keep you updated
While running in New York City everyone flocks to Central Park in Manhattan or Prospect Park in Brooklyn to find a place a to run away from the cars and traffic that make NYC. If you are looking for a new place to run on a measured path I highly suggest checking out some of the Tracks in NYC.
Tracks give you a precise distance to train, especially speedwork and most also have a water fountain and bathrooms. My home track is the East River Park track on East 6 St & FDR Drive. This is a quarter mile track that has been newly resurfaced with all weather rubber coating which is a welcome respite from the concrete of NYC streets. As an added bonus the infield of the track is usually in use by soccer matches, rugby and ultimate frisbee. Last but not least are the views of the East River as you do your laps
For those of you interested in other NYC running tracks, this link below from the New York City Parks department provides a listing of tracks citywide.
I am on the road to recovery and started running again, with a few short 3 -4 mile runs. Part of my rehabilitation is to use an insert in my running shoes and the recommended fix are Superfeet. The idea of Superfeet are to support and stabilize my feet reducing the stress on my feet, ankles and knees. The other selling point of Superfeet is to reduce the impact on my legs with each stride with shock absorption.
Well the results so far have been positive. I have not felt pain in my Peroneus Brevis which has been my tendon of doom or in my shins or knees. While running I cannot really feel that I have extra support, but I honestly do not care if I “feel” anything while I am running. All I care about is that I do nto feel anything after I am running.
So, if you are having pain in your legs from running like shin splints, plantar fasciitis or assorted knee pains give Superfeet a chance. They are about $35 a pair and if you are in pain as I was you would gladly pay triple that for pain free running.
I love the internet and the information that can be found on every topic, but sometimes too much information can lead to problems. Over the past six weeks I have been in pain and based on my brilliant self-diagnosis I was sure I had shin splints. Every article and post I have read led me to believe that I had a classic case of shin splints and guess what, I was sort of wrong. I did have pain in my shin but not a classic case of shin splints. After giving in and going to see an orthopedist who specializes in runners I found out I have a strained/sore Peroneus Brevis, which is a tendon that runs down the length of the leg.
The good news is that all I need is a super strong NASID - anti-inflamatory and some Superfeet inserts into my running shoes. So far after three days on the medication the pain is almost gone and I will be ready to run this weekend.
The lesson learned here is that if you are pain then sometimes it is best to seek professional help as you may not have all the right answers. I probably could have been back on the road and running a few weeks ago if I had not been so sure of myself.
Another non-running post for you to discuss Daft Punk live in Coney Island on August 9th. Not sure if I can really describe Daft Punk, but could be two French robots landing on earth and blowing out one of the best parties. The light show could have been one of the best setups I have ever seen and the volume and bass was surreal. To sum it up, three people who usually will not shut up, sat in silence the whole way home, the only word coming through was “blown”
Here are some pictures that may give you a taste but can never really describe it unless you were there. Could have been the show of the year and one for the ages. Daft Punk comes to North America once a decade so if you are elsewhere in the world and they are playing sell your stuff and buy ticket
Here are a couple of links of video of the show
http://youtube.com/results?search_query=daft%20punk%20keyspan&search=Search
My shin splint pain has subsided from acupuncture but it is still there and I am starting to get nervous. I have decided to seek additional help and am going to seek a Medical Doctor to get an x-ray and an additional diagnosis. The doctor I have chosen is a Sports Specialist at the Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC and a runner who and has completed over 10 marathons., including 5 Boston Marathons. The reason for this choice of doctor is I cannot see someone that will tell me “stay off” of it for 3 months and “let’s see what happens”. I need a doctor who will understand the psychology of a runner and who has seen this injury hundreds of times.
I will still continue with acupuncture and hope to be back in training in the next few weeks. My next concern is do I have enough time to train for the NYC Marathon on November 4th? Appointment is this Friday and will hope for the best
DOFB
